Governor singles out Worcester's progress

Wednesday

Feb 9, 2011 at 5:04 PMFeb 9, 2011 at 8:55 PM

Gov. Deval L. Patrick tonight used Worcester as a backdrop to outline his second-term goals of focusing on education, innovation and infrastructure.

Speaking to hundreds gathered at Mechanics Hall for the Telegram & Gazette Visions Community Awards, the governor singled out efforts being made at the city's eight commendation schools — schools making extraordinary progress on narrowing achievement gaps. He talked about the Jacob Hiatt Magnet School, which has lengthened its school day with an emphasis on after-school enrichment, and noted the school's jump from 39 percent to 50 percent of fourth-grade students who scored proficient or higher on the MCAS.

“We've seen the same results at the Roosevelt School in Worcester and in communities all over the state,” Mr. Patrick said. “The point is that we can close the achievement gap, and it's happening right here.”

Mr. Patrick also pointed to state investment in Worcester Polytechnic Institute's Gateway Park and the Sherman Center at UMass Medical School, and talked about the state's efforts at expanding its fleet of commuter and freight trains, including the introduction this week of the state's first new locomotive in 23 years. And with the purchase of rights of way from CSX, service will soon expand between the city and Boston, he said. He said that in his second term, the state will invest another $3.6 billion in capital projects. He talked about the need to invest in expanding high-speed broadband Internet access, noting that of the state's 351 cities and towns, 123 don't have access to high-speed Internet.

The Telegram & Gazette launched the Visions awards in 1991 to promote progressive change, encourage community involvement and recognize exceptional contributions by individuals and organizations. Mr. Patrick tonight congratulated the recipients of this year's awards for their efforts and leadership.

“And it's really that example that we need to look to and take instruction from not just because of their example of service and sacrifice, not just because of the challenging economic times … but because they remind us of who and how we must be to build a better future,” Mr. Patrick said.

Mary C. Streeter DeFeudis, one of the region's leading activists and philanthropists, received the Isaiah Thomas Citizen of the Year Award. The Academic Achievement Award went to Whitinsville Christian School graduate Benjamin T. Wood; James A. Welu, director of the Worcester Art Museum, received the Cultural Enrichment Award; UMass Medical School student Jennifer M. MacDonald received the Young Leader Award; and Robert L. Moylan Jr., the city's commissioner of Public Works and Parks, received the Public Service Award.

Mr. Patrick said he will continue to push to make the state an international hub for innovation industries like biotech and life sciences, and to lead the country in clean energy development. His focus on promoting this area is not about leaving other industries behind, he said.

“This is not, as some have said, about picking winners and losers,” Mr. Patrick said. “It's about playing to our strengths — the same way that my colleagues in Texas or West Virginia or Iowa cultivate their oil or coal or corn industries.”

He said information technology is another growth area garnering attention in the state.

“IT is a growth area, too, but it's not your father's Route 128,” Mr. Patrick said. “It's robotics and video game development, where we've become the third largest center in the country; it's telecommunications.”

Mr. Patrick related a story about his grandmother from his upbringing in telling the audience that “we have to learn how to become what we believe.”

“My grandmother forbid us from describing ourselves as poor,” Mr. Patrick said. “She used to say, ‘Say you're broke.' Because broke is temporary. Broke is temporary. She taught me how important it is to imagine — to imagine — a better life, a better way, a better opportunity, and then to work for that.”

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